Topic Contents

Osteoporosis in Men

Topic Overview

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones. It means you have bones that are thin and brittle, with lots of holes inside them like a sponge. This makes them easy to break. Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones (fractures) in the hip, spine, and wrist.

What causes osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is caused by a lack of bone strength or bone density. As you age, your bones get thinner naturally. But some things can make you more likely to have the severe bone thinning of osteoporosis. These things are called risk factors. Some risk factors you can change. Others you can't change.

Risk factors you can't change include:

Your age. Your risk for osteoporosis goes up as you get older.

Loss of the male hormone testosterone. As you age, your body makes less of this hormone. Some medical treatments, like using corticosteroids or taking medicines to treat prostate cancer, can also lower the level of testosterone in your body.

Low estrogen levels. Evidence suggests that low levels of estrogen in men can lead to bone loss.

Your race. People of European and Asian background are most likely to get osteoporosis.

Risk factors you can change include:

Not getting enough calcium and vitamin D.

Smoking.

Not getting enough weight-bearing exercise.

Drinking too much alcohol. Heavy alcohol use (more than 2 drinks a day) can decrease bone formation. It also makes you more likely to fall.

Taking medicines that can affect bone growth and repair. Your doctor can tell you if you are taking any of these medicines. He or she can also help you understand if the benefit of the medicine is greater than the risk.

Experts suggest that older men talk to their doctors about osteoporosis and have bone density tests done if they are at risk.1

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on your medical history and a physical exam. Bone density testing measures the density of your bones using a special X-ray or CT scan. From this information, your doctor can estimate the strength of your bones. Your doctor may also do blood and urine tests to rule out other problems that may cause bone loss. Blood tests can also tell if low levels of testosterone or estrogen in your body are causing bone loss.

Screening tests

The
National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends that all men age 70 and older routinely have a
bone density test to screen for osteoporosis. The NOF also recommends that you and your doctor check your fracture risk using a tool such as FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment) starting at age 50. This tool can help you decide if you should be screened for osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and when to start bone density screening.

Ultrasound is sometimes offered at events such as health fairs as a quick screening for osteoporosis. Ultrasound by itself isn't a reliable test for diagnosing osteoporosis. But if results of an ultrasound screening find low bone density, your doctor can help you decide whether you should have a bone density test.

How is it treated?

Treatment for osteoporosis may include adopting healthy habits and taking medicine to reduce bone loss and to build bone thickness. Medicine can also give you relief from pain caused by fractures or other changes to your bones.

Medicines used to prevent or treat osteoporosis include:

Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), and zoledronic acid (Reclast). These medicines slow the rate of bone thinning and can lead to increased bone density.

Denosumab (Prolia). This medicine may be used for men who are at very high risk for bone fracture, such as men who are receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer.

Parathyroid hormone (teriparatide [Forteo]). This medicine is used for the treatment of men who have severe osteoporosis and who are at high risk for bone fracture. It is given by injection.

If you have low testosterone levels, your doctor may give you hormone therapy (shots, gels, or patches) to prevent osteoporosis. But hormone therapy to treat osteoporosis has not been approved by the FDA. If testosterone therapy is recommended, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

How can you stay healthy when you have osteoporosis?

You can slow osteoporosis with new, healthy habits.

If you smoke, quit.

Limit your use of alcohol.

Get plenty of weight-bearing exercise. Walking, jogging, and lifting weights can make your bones stronger.

Other Places To Get Help

Organizations

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and
Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

Phone:

1-877-22-NIAMS (1-877-226-4267) toll-free

Phone:

(301) 495-4484

Fax:

(301) 718-6366

TDD:

(301) 565-2966

Email:

niamsinfo@mail.nih.gov

Web Address:

www.niams.nih.gov

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is a governmental institute that serves the public
and health professionals by providing information, locating other information
sources, and participating in a national federal database of health
information. NIAMS supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention
of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases and supports the training of
scientists to carry out this research.

The NIAMS website provides
health information referrals to the NIAMS Clearinghouse, which has information
packages about diseases.

National Institute on Aging

Building 31, Room 5C27

31 Center Drive, MSC 2292

Bethesda, MD 20892

Phone:

1-800-222-2225

Phone:

(301) 496-1752

TDD:

1-800-222-4225 (TTY)

Email:

niaic@nia.nih.gov

Web Address:

www.nia.nih.gov

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the
centers of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, leads a broad scientific
effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active
years of life. The NIA funds research and provides information about health and
research advances to the public and interested groups.

National Osteoporosis Foundation
(NOF)

1150 17nd Street NW, Suite 854

Washington, DC 20036

Phone:

1-800-231-4222(202) 223-2226

Fax:

(202) 223–2237

Web Address:

www.nof.org

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) funds
research and publishes educational material about osteoporosis for consumers
and health professionals. The NOF also provides information about bone density
testing sites, new treatment, and local groups interested in osteoporosis. The
foundation's mission is to prevent osteoporosis, promote lifelong bone
health, help improve the lives of those affected by osteoporosis and related
fractures, and find a cure.

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases—National
Resource Center

2 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3676

Phone:

1-800-624-BONE (1-800-624-2663)(202) 223-0344

Fax:

(202) 293–2356

TDD:

(202) 466-4315

Email:

NIHBoneInfo@mail.nih.gov

Web Address:

www.niams.nih.gov/bone

The NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases—National
Resource Center is a government resource center that helps health
professionals, patients, and the public learn about and locate current
information on metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease,
osteogenesis imperfecta, and hyperparathyroidism.

References

Citations

Qaseem A, et al. (2008). Screening for osteoporosis in men: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(9): 680–684. Also available online: http://www.acponline.org/clinical_information/guidelines/guidelines.

Other Works Consulted

National Osteoporosis Foundation (2010). Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Available online: http://www.nof.org/professionals/clinical-guidelines.

Qaseem A, et al. (2008). Screening for osteoporosis in men: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(9): 680–684. Also available online: http://www.acponline.org/clinical_information/guidelines/guidelines.

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